I was looking for an 5 or 6 bands antenna, reliable, small-scale and relatively efficient, when I discovered the Hexbeam. After a few days of research, I decided to build the G3TXQ version. Steve Hunt (G3TXQ) bring great improvements to the classic version of the Hexbeam :

-better SWR

-wider bandwidth

-gain more linear

I will not reinvent the theory, so I prefer to guide you towards the websites that help me in this project :

The Hexbeam is easy to build, but some details have to be respected for the general quality of the antenna. There is the most important things to me :

-Base plate must be strong enough to resist to the spreaders movements.

-With the help of a small cove, add a little angle at the base of spreaders: less stress on the spreaders and better spacing between the wires 10, 12 and 15m.

-In order to obtain an impedance of about 50 Ohms, you have to respect a formula between the two tubes of your aluminium central post. See diagrams and formulas below, for air dielectric only.

TECHNICAL INFOS

A

B

A

B

Z = 136,7 x LOG (0,9259 x A/B)

Z = 138 x LOG (1,07 x A/B)

B

A

Z = 138 x LOG (A/B)

After have been mounted over one year in French Guiana, I could say : the objective is complete. The climate is very hard for antennas, but apart a raptor attack, I never had any mecanical problem. For the price it’s a very good value.

The Front/Back ratio is according to the theory, SWR and bandwidth are great. I do not many runs, I’m looking principally for DX and after over 2000 contacts my number of DXCC is about 185. For sure, it’s not a big gun antenna, but for using 100 watts and this small-scale antenna, it seems to work very well.